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Development of the 2014 Lexus IS began with chief engineer Junichi Furuyama admitting that the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class were more fun to drive than the outgoing IS. The rest of the development process was part of Lexus’ attempt to send the new IS past the BMW 3 Series as the number one in compact luxury sedan. In today’s Downshift episode, Furuyama outlines what went into making sure the 2014 Lexus IS sedan performs the way it does.

Before Furuyama took on the IS project, he already drove an IS as a daily driver. With the IS needing to catch up to high-volume models from BMW and Mercedes-Benz, Furuyama started the 2014 IS engineering process by trying to define what is fun to drive. Putting the IS up against competitors on the Higashifuji test track, Lexus engineers analyzed steering feel, brake feel, and speed sensation, and made appropriate changes to provide a more entertaining driving experience.

As for the design, the new IS follows the new direction Lexus is moving towards with its L-Finesse design. This means that the new spindle grille is meant to excite and entice, while the interior does the same with its LFA-like instrument cluster. With the 2014 IS, Furuyama wanted to develop a car that can change perception of the Lexus.